Strathisla 18 yo 1974 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail #2206 + 2207 57.8% vs Strathisla 36 yo 1967 / 2003 Gordon & MacPhail Bar Metro 35th Anniversary #2063 54.3%
Strathisla 18 yo 1974 / 1992 Gordon & MacPhail #2206 + 2207 57.8%
A meaty and ever lightly sulphurous sherry here. Not my thing. Vague mushroom notes, umami, black pepper, chives and sage sitting on top of worn but heavily polished oak. Flaking lacquer. Old oil and grease and dried up broth on uncleaned hobs. Not the most delicious but not overly burnt either. A bit of coal gas and ash settle on the whole. The inherent sweetness of the sherry pushes through like a blossom through trodden earth, and then we are rewarded with blackberry jam, brown sugar, pine needles and some mint tea. Nothing enthralling though. 86 pts
Strathisla 36 yo 1967 / 2003 Gordon & MacPhail Bar Metro 35th Anniversary #2063 54.3%
A massive sherry bomb. Full of thick and sticky dried fruit, hot jam and sweet amaro. A gourmand delight, held in check by touches of umami in the shape of soy and salted jerky. Salami and gamey hints. Bit of tar as well lots of cocoa, but plenty of earthy geosmin, leather, metallic glints, bundles of herbs, medicinal and culinary. Monolithic presence with a vice grip. Smoky charred bits and pure cocktail bitters. Concentrated black tea, and tobacco. It goes on and on, but the best thing is no blocky oak to ruin anything. 92 pts
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